Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The British Government is aware of the Government's position on this issue. The Taoiseach has communicated that directly to Prime Minister Cameron and I have communicated it directly to Secretary of State Villiers. When I have had an opportunity to do so, I have raised it with Deputy Prime Minister Clegg and Foreign Minister Hague as well. The British Government decided not to hold a public inquiry in this case. Instead, it asked Desmond de Silva to carry out a review and to publish a report. The Government's position has not changed since I made a statement in the House after that report was published. We are continuing to seek a public inquiry. Concern has been expressed about the length of time a public inquiry would take and the amount of money it would cost, but I suggest the work that has been done by Desmond de Silva would facilitate the holding of such an inquiry. Given that a great deal of evidence has already been examined, the inquiry should not be protracted. A commitment to the holding of a public inquiry was included in the Weston Park agreement. Indeed, we were required under that agreement to hold an inquiry of our own - the ongoing Smithwick inquiry. Our view is that the full terms of the various agreements, one of which relates to the holding of an inquiry, should be implemented.

See this speech in context